Mike_Ambersley
Mike Ambersley
American soccer player
Mike Ambersley (born February 14, 1983) is a retired American soccer player who recently played for Saint Louis FC in the United Soccer League.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Ambersley | ||
| Date of birth | (1983-02-14) February 14, 1983 (age 41) | ||
| Place of birth | St. Louis, Missouri, United States | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2001–2005 | Indiana Hoosiers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2002 | Chicago Fire Premier | 5 | (4) |
| 2004 | St. Louis Strikers | 11 | (3) |
| 2006 | FC Dallas | 0 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | Rochester Raging Rhinos | 32 | (5) |
| 2008 | Atlanta Silverbacks | 0 | (0) |
| 2009 | Rochester Rhinos | 20 | (2) |
| 2010 | AC St. Louis | 23 | (9) |
| 2011–2013 | Tampa Bay Rowdies[1] | 60 | (19) |
| 2013 | Minnesota United | 13 | (0) |
| 2014 | Indy Eleven | 26 | (6) |
| 2015–2016 | Saint Louis FC | 50 | (6) |
| Total | 240 | (54) | |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2002 | United States U20 | 4 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 9, 2016 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of October 5, 2012 | |||
College and amateur
Ambersley attended De Smet Jesuit High School where he was a NSCAA and Parade Magazine High School All American soccer player and the 2000 Missouri Player of the Year. He attended Indiana University where he played soccer from 2001 to 2005.[2] He played for the Under 20 U.S. National Team from 2001 to 2002. Ambersley was on the roster during trips to Mexico, the Netherlands, and Spain. He suffered a back injury his sophomore year and redshirted the 2003 season. In 2002, he played for the Chicago Fire Premier of the Premier Development League during the collegiate off season. Ambersley started 82 of 86 games during his college career at Indiana where he scored 18 goals and 20 assists. He played in two Final Fours while at Indiana scoring 2 goals and adding 2 assists in 4 games. Ambersley scored the game winning penalty kick in the 2004 National Championship game.
Professional
On January 20, 2006, FC Dallas selected Ambersley in the 4th round (43rd overall) in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft. He never played a game with Dallas before being released at the end of April 2006.[3]
On March 8, 2006, the Chicago Storm of the Major Indoor Soccer League selected Ambersley in the third round of the 2006 MISL College Draft. However, he did not sign with the Storm. Instead, he joined the Rochester Rhinos of the USL First Division.[4] On November 28, 2007, signed a three-year contract with the Atlanta Silverbacks of USL-1.[5] He injured his knee during the pre-season and lost the entire season. The Silverbacks withdrew from the league at the end of the season and Ambersley returned to Rochester for the 2009 season.
In March 2010, Ambersley joined AC St. Louis of the USSF Division 2 Professional League. He scored 9 goals in league play and 11 overall. 2 of those goals coming in the US Open Cup, both of which were game winners. After the demise of AC St. Louis, Ambersley signed with FC Tampa Bay of the North American Soccer League on January 4, 2011.[6] He spent the entire 2011 season with Tampa Bay and led the team in every major statistical category while being named to the NASL Best XI Team. On October 4, 2011, the club picked up his 2012 season option.[7]
Ambersley signed a contract extension with Tampa Bay through the 2014 season in February 2012.[8] On August 1, 2013, Ambersley was traded to Minnesota United in exchange for forward Etienne Barbara.[9]
On January 22, 2014, Ambersley signed with to new NASL franchise Indy Eleven.[10]
On January 13, 2015, Ambersley became the first ever signing for new USL Pro franchise Saint Louis FC.[11]
On January 13, 2017, Ambersley announced his retirement from professional soccer.[12]
Tampa Bay Rowdies
- North American Soccer League:
- Champion (1): 2012
- NASL Best XI: 2011
Indiana University
- Formerly known as FC Tampa Bay through 2011.
- "Indiana University Player Profile". Iuhoosiers.cstv.com. February 14, 1983. Archived from the original on February 10, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- FC Dallas: All Time MLS Player Register Archived March 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- Rochester Rhinos Player Profile Archived December 14, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- Demosphere International, Inc. (November 28, 2007). "Atlanta adds two for 2008". Usl1.uslsoccer.com. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- "FC Tampa Bay Signs Forward Mike Ambersley - OurSports Central - Independent and Minor League Sports News". OurSports Central. January 4, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- "| Tampa Bay Rowdies". Fctampabay.com. October 4, 2011. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- "Rowdies Sign Ambersley to New Contract | North American Soccer League". Nasl.com. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- "Former MVP Barbara traded". startribune.com. August 2, 2013.
- "Indy Eleven sign former Hoosiers Ring and Ambersley, bring roster to ten players". sbisoccer.com. January 22, 2014.
- "Ambersley Becomes First Signing for Saint Louis FC". saintlouisfc.com. January 13, 2015.
- "Mike Ambersley Announces Retirement". saintlouisfc.com. January 13, 2017.